A WRITER’S LIFE

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2023

Happy New Year everyone. May you have much health and happiness in 2023. We had a busy Christmas/New Year period and thoroughly enjoyed it. We went to the Oran Mor pantomime, we were in the audience for the BBC Hogmanay Celebrations (unfortunately we weren’t visible on the night), we went to a disco called Hip Replacement (for the more mature person who likes to dance) and spent New Year in Northern Ireland with my sister and her family.

Sadly Leela Soma, who set up Bearsden Writers with Palo Stickland, passed away in December after a short illness. Leela was born in India but spent most of her life in Scotland working as a teacher. When she retired she became a writer. She was a prolific poet and also wrote short stories and novels. She was instrumental in helping to set up the Kavya Prize for Scottish writers of colour. The above photograph was taken this year at Bearsden Writers’ Festival at Kilmardinny House. Bearsden Writers has been such a part of my journey to becoming an author and I am grateful to Leela and Palo for setting up the group and for their support. RIP Leela.

I did no writing during December, so I am now back at my desk and raring to go. I’ve set up a writing routine which should allow me to have a first draft of my third novel in The Uist Girl Series completed by the end of March. I have a working title and kind of know where I’m going with it, but it’s early days so all that could change. Today I entered a short story competition for the Leela Soma Prize with Bearsden Writers for their first competition of the year with the theme of origins. A trophy has been purchased in memory of Leela and will be awarded each year to the winner of the competition. I haven’t made any resolutions as I never stick to them but have set some goals, so we’ll see what happens. This month is healthy eating and Dry January. What about you? Let me know if you’ve made any resolutions. Covid and other viruses seem to be on the increase again so take care and keep safe.

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